Binding for books.



F. HEUTER.

BINDING FOR BOOKS.

APPLICATION FILED IuIIE 30. |915.

1 ,224,667. Patented May 1, 1917.

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F, REUTER.

BINDING FOR BOOKS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE so, IsIs.

1,224,667'. Patented May 1, 1917.

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FREDERICK EEUTEE, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

BINDING EOE Books.

Application led June 30, 1915.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK REUTER, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of the city and State ofNew York, have invented certain Improvements in Bindings for Books, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in bindings for books,and has for its object, in part, to provide a binding having a novel andimproved construction and arrangement of head bands for covering andconcealing the joints between the back of the book and its containedsignatures, and in part, to provide a binding of a simple andcomparatively inexpensive nature, especially applicable for use in bookshaving limp or flexible backs, and possessing certain features ofnovelty and improvement calculated to afford an extremely strong andsecure connection of the back and covers with the body of the book,without in any way interfering with the desired flexibility of the back,orthe flat opening of the book.

The invention consists in certain novel features of the construction,and combinations and arrangements of the several parts of the improvedbook binding, whereby certain important advantages are attained, and thebinding is made simpler, less expensive, and otherwisebetter adapted andmore convenient and effective for use, all as will be hereinafter fullyset forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in theclaims.

In order that my improvements may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to described the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure l is a fragmentary perspective viewillustrating one embodiment of my present invention in albook having aflexible or limp binding;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken transverselythrough the back of the book, illustrating certain features of theimproved binding which will be hereinafter more particularly referredto;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but taken in a different planethrough the back of the bock, and illustrating other featuresSpecification of `Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Serial No. 37,138.

of the binding which will be hereinafter referred to;

Fig. et is an enlarged sectional detail view illustrating certainfeatures of the head band which will be hereinafter referred to;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing one of the members of the improvedbinding means as it appears in the fiat form;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the binding members comprised in theimproved book binding means as they appear when associated for use;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken transversely through thebinding devices as illustrated in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the application ofmy improved head band for use in connection with a different form ofbinding means.

In these views I have shown my improvements embodied in a book havinglimp or fiexible sides or covers integrally joined with a limp orflexible back, such as are commonly provided for Divinity Circuit Biblesand the like, but while my present invention is especially well suitedfor employment in connection with books of this type, I do not desire tobe understood as limiting myself to such use of the invention, since itwill be apparent that my improvements may also be embodied with goodresults and without material departure from the principles and spirit ofthe invention, in books having bindings of various other styles orkinds.

In the drawings 1 represents the body portion of the book, comprisingsheets or signatures gathered in the usual manner, and 2 represents thelimp or fiexible back of the binding, while 3, 3 represent the flexiblesides or covers integrally joined with the opposite longitudinal edgesof the back 2, and capable of being readily fiexed at the oints 4, 4Lafforded by theirconnection with such back at the ends of the bodyportion of the book. 5 represents the circuit `commonly provided aroundthe margins of the iiexible sheet from which the back and sides orcovers are produced, 'the same being extended beyond the body portion insuch a way as to afford protection for the exposed edges thereof in awell known manner.

G represents, as a whole, an expansible connecting or binding member ordevice constructed according to my invention, and herein shown as beingprimarily formed prior to its incorporation in the book, although itwill be obvious that this is in no way essential to my invention, sincesaid member or device need not be thus primarily formed, but may bebuilt up or produced during the binding of the book without departurefrom the invention. As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the binding member ordevice 6 comprises two strips or plies 7 and 8, formed from fiatmaterial, such as paper, cloth or the like, laid flush one upon theother, and connected together along their opposite lateral edgeportions, and being of such dimensions as to be adapted to beincorporated in the book to afford a secure connection of its bodyportion with the back and covers thereof.

As shown in said figures, the improved binding is constructed andarranged somewhat similarly to the binding shown and claimed in UnitedStates Letters Patent, No. 998,283, granted July 18, 1911 to Duryea andReuter, but one of the strips or plies, as 7, which may with advantagebe formed from cloth when this is possible, is made of a width greaterthan that of the other strip or member, as 8, so that when the narrowerstrip or ply 8 is laid upon the wider strip or ply 7, the lateral edgeportions of the latter will project along the opposite lateral edges ofsaid narrower strip or ply, affording lateral wings or extensions inwhich short inwardly directed transverse cuts or slits 10, 10 areproduced, dividing said extensions or wings longitudinally into narrowoppositely arranged or alined terminal and central tongues or flaps 11and 11, adapted to afford means for connecting or securing the bodyportion of the book to its back, as will be hereinafter explained, andlonger oppositely arranged or alined intermediate tongues or flaps 12,12, which intervene or alternate with the narrow terminal and centraltongues or flaps 11 and 11a at the opposite lateral edges of the deviceand are adapted to afford means for securing or connecting the bodyportion of the book with its sides or covers, as will be hereinafterexplained.

In the production of bindings according to my invention as illustratedin these iigures, the strip or ply 7 is of such conformation, and itscuts or slits 10, 10 are so arranged that the central elongated uncutpor tion 9 of said ply or strip, upon which the companion strip or ply 8is lapped, conforms substantially in length and width to the rearsurface of the body portion 1 of the book whereat the binding edges ofits contained sheets or signatures are exposed, and

said central uncut portion 9 of said strip or ply 7 is adapted to beglued or cemented curely upon said surface of the body portion, over thebinding edges of the sheets or signatures thereof in such a manner as tohold the same securely in relation, while being of such extremeflexibility as is caleulated greatly to facilitate the desirable flatopening of the book,

lhen said strip or ply 7 is secured upon the body portion of the book inthis manner, the marginal tongues or flaps 11, 11 and 12 along theopposite lateral edges or wings of said strip or ply, being separatedfrom each other by the cuts or slits 10, 10, permit of being securelyglued or cemented upon the inner surfaces of the back and sides orcovers of the book, so as to afl'ord extremely strong and secureconnections of the body portion with the back and sides or covers of thebinding along lines confoiming with the flexible oints at 4, 4 betweensaid sides or covers and the back of the book, whereby the book is verymaterially strengthened at the points whereat the binding is exposed tothe greatest stress during use.

The strip or ply 8 being laid fiat upon the central uncut portion 9 ofthe strip or ply 7, is held in place by means of the terminal andcentral tongues or flaps 11 and 11l along the opposite marginal edges ofsaid strip or ply 7, which are glued and folded down upon the rearsurface of said strip or ply 8, so that when the latter is cemented orglued upon the inner or binding surface of the back 2 of the book, saidterminal and central tongues or flaps 11 and 11- will be securely gluedand held to the back, and will be protected by the overlying strip orply 8 and concealed thereby when the plies or strips are caused toseparate upon the opening of the book.

The intermediate portions 12, 12 between the marginal tongues or flaps11 and 11a are securely connected to the inner surfaces of the sides orcovers by glue or cement, and are covered over and concealed beneath theend papers 12 as clearly indicated in the drawings, and their employmenttends to prevent cracking or breakage of the inner edge portions of saidend papers, while the employment of the centrally arranged tongues orflaps 11, 11a serves to prevent` separation of the covers or sides fromthe internal parts of the tongues or flaps 12, 12, and from the centralparts of the end papers.

By this construction and arrangement of the parts I provide a binding ofgreat l strength and flexibility on account of employing a single ply orthickness of material for connecting the sheets or signatures, and sincethe ply 8 employed to protect and conceal the tongues or flaps 11 and11a connecting the body with the back of the book is unconnected andseparate from the ply 7, as indicated at 6b in the drawings, except atthe points 6a where the said tongues or flaps 11 and 11a are extendedbehind it, it will be evident that a very high degree of flexibility isafforded at the parts of the binding adjacent to the connections betweenthe sides or covers and the back, calculated to facilitate fiat openingof the book without the sacrifice of necessary strength.

The cutting or slitting of the lateral edges or wings to produce thecentral tongues or flaps 11aM not only strengthens the connectionbetween the back and body of the book at the central part of the back,but also assures a much more secure connection between the body of thebook and its sides or covers. It also facilitates the binding of thebook without undue liability to the production of wrinkles or unevennessin the flexible sides or covers due to shrinkage or warping during thedrying of the glued connections, such as might arise in certain caseswere the connections between the body of the book and its sides orcovers not separated into the portions 12, 12 in the manner hereindisclosed.

My present invention also includes a novel and improved head band whichI have illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, as applied for use inconnection with my improvements therein shown, but which may obviously,and without departure from the principles and spirit of the invention,be employed in connection with binding means of other kinds or stylesas, for example, that shown in Fig. 8, wherein I have illustrated mynovel and improved head band applied for use in connection with abinding such as is set forth and claimed in United States Letters PatentNo. 951,436, granted to Charles Ii. Duryea March 8, 1910.

In carrying out this part of my present invention I produce head bandsin connected relation at the opposite ends of a strip or member to beapplied over the rear or binding edges of the sheets or signatures, sothat the headv bands thus produced will protrude along the heads of thesheets or signatures and cover or conceal the joints at the bindingedges of said sheets or signatures. In the structure shown in Figs. 1 to7, inclusive, head bands are provided according to my invention, carriedin connected relation at the opposite ends of the central elongated part9 of the material from which the ply 7 of the expansible tubularconnecting or binding'device is produced. The structure herein showninvolves the employment of integral extensions 111t at the opposite endsof said part 9, from which extensions the head bands are produced by thebending or folding over and gluing or cementing of said extensions uponthe outer surface of said part 9, as clearly indicated in Figs. l and Gof the drawings. In this way rounded and somewhat thickened head bands15, 15 are produced along the folded or overturned edges of the tubularmember 6, adapted to protrude at the heads of the signatures to coverand conceal the joints at the rear or binding edges of the signatures,and to inipart a highly finished and perfected appearance to the book. Y

As herein shown I have inclosed short strips, lengths of cord 1G, orequivalent reinforcing material within the overturned or folded jointsbetween the extensions 14 and that portion 9 of the member G whereon thehead bands are supported in connected relation, so as to impart arounded and thickened formation to the head bands and prevent them frombeing readily torn or cracked as might occur were such reinforcementsomitted. It will also be obvious that the material from which the headbands are produced may be colored or ornamented in any desired fashionto improve the appearance of the binding when completed.

In the structure shown in Fig. S, the head bands are represented asmounted upon the extremities of a simple tubular binding member such asis shown and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 951,436,hereinbefore referred to.

From the above description of my improvements it will be evident thatthe binding constructed according to my present invention is of anextremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature, and isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of its strength anddurability and the facility with which the books may be opened to a flatcondition, and the simplicity and economy with which head bands may beprovided, and it will also be obvious from the above description thatthe improved binding is susceptible of some modification withoutmaterial departure from the principles and spirit of the invention, andfor this reason I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise formation and arrangement of the several parts herein setforth in carrying out my invention in practice, except as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is- 1. Means for binding' books comprising an elongatedstrip of pliant material adapted to be secured lengthwise along thebinding edges of the signatures at the back of the book, and head bandsat the ends of said strip.

2. Means for binding books comprising an elongated strip of pliantmaterial adapted to besecured lengthwise along the binding edges of thesignatures at the back of the book and provided with extensions at itsends of greater thickness than said strip and forming, when the strip issecured to the signatures, head bands protruding beyond the ends of thesignatures.

3. Means for binding books comprising an elongated strip of pliantmaterial adapted to be secured lengthwise along the binding edges of thesignatures at the back of the book, and provided at its ends withtransversely folded two-ply portions having reinforcements securedbetween their plies and forming, when said strip is applied to the book,head bands protruding beyond the ends of the signatures and concealingthe binding edges thereof at the heads of the binding.

4. A book having a body, a back, and covers, and an expansibleconnecting member including separable plies interposed between the innersurface of the back and the rear surface of the body, and head bandsupon one of the plies of said eXpansible member, protruding beyond theends of the body and concealing the binding edges of the signaturesthereof. l

5. A book having a body, a back, and covers, and a connecting memberformed from tough pliant material having a central portion secured uponthe rear surface of the body, forming flexible connections between thesignatures thereof, and having opposite lateral portions provided withcentral inwardly directed cuts forming at each side of said membercentral oppositely arranged tongues or flaps connected with the back,and having spaced portions at the opposite sides of each of said centralportions independently connected with the covers of the book to hold thebody in relation to said back and covers.

6. A book having a body and a back and provided with a connecting memberinterposed between the inner surface of the back and the rear surface ofthe body, having integrally connected parts secured respectively uponthe rear surface of the body, and upon the inner surface of the back ofthe book, the part of said member which is secured upon the body havinghead bands protruding beyond the signatures at the heads of the book,and the part of said member which is secured upon the inner side of theback forming a flexible connection between the same and said body.

7 A book having a body, and a cover, and provided with a connectingmember interposed between the inner surfaces of the back and covers ofthe book and the rear surface of the body having integrally connectedparts secured, respectively, upon the rear surface of the body of thebook, and upon the inner surface of the cover, the part of said memberwhich is secured upon the body of the book having head bands protrudingbeyond the signatures at the heads of the book, and the part of saidmember which is secured upon the cover forming a flexible connectionbetween the body of the book and said cover.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK REUTER.

Witnesses:

ALBERT E. DISNEY, MARY E. MCCUE.

copies of this patent may be obtained for ilve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1)..0.

